In the past, through other people who use commercial incubators and hatching books, it was advised to NOT wash eggs before setting. I see in this years catalogs that there are some egg washing soaps and solutions (spray) to put on the eggs before setting to get rid of the bacteria.
I just gently wipe off any dirt. I don't wash mine due to the fact that washing the egg will remove the film left by the hen and allows the eggs to dehydrate (not good). I haven't had problems with bacteria because I keep my incubator clean and have the hens laying on clean, dry bedding.
Our setting duck pushed out all of the eggs that we had cleaned because of broken yolk all over them. Does this mean she won't take them back if we try to slip them in when she's not looking? or is it too late? We washed them on a Sunday and I found them sitting outside her nest on Wednesday morning. If it was because of the film being washed off wouldn't she have pushed them out soon after, not 2+ days later? She is in a box in a closed pen within an outer run, and only has two other duck companions with her at night, that never bother her. Curious about her behavior, does any one have similar experience...?
Ducks are sometimes undependable setters and some are easily discouraged from setting. However, try to replace them unless they had been incubated for more than the day or two--they will have been interrupted--and will no longer develop. She has no way of knowing what eggs are washed or not--they are "melded" with eggs, not any special eggs, but do not like being disturbed while setting. Any changes in nesting should be done after dark to minimize possibility of rejection. If she sat on them for 2 days after washing, the possibility is greater that another duck or animal caused her to defend the nest, and they were pushed out in the encounter???? CJR
Does anyone know if antibacterial soap would work just the same? The egg soaps are a little pricey and seems that if something like Dawn Antibacterial Dishsoap would work, it would be more economical.
Anyone have suggestions?
By Anonymous on Wednesday, April 21, 1999 - 08:00 am:
By Ginnyd on Wednesday, April 21, 1999 - 04:10 pm:
By Cjeanr on Wednesday, April 21, 1999 - 04:36 pm: